Oxford United: Kassam Stadium owners seek asset status review

The owners of Oxford United's Kassam Stadium have asked for the ruling to list the ground as a community asset to be reviewed.

Owners Firoka have asked Oxford City Council hold an internal review of the decision, which was taken on 13 May.

What is an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and how does a listing work?

A building, or other land, is an asset of community value if its main use is, or has recently been, to "further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community" and it could do so in the future

The request must come from a voluntary or community body with a local connection and relate to land in the local authority's area, or in the neighbouring local authority's area

The listing lasts for five years and also includes should the stadium be put up for sale, a 'right to bid', which can be lodged by the group concerned within a period of six weeks, with finance secured in a period of up to four-and-a-half months

The application for community asset status was made by supporters' trust OxVox and it means the group must be notified if the ground is to be sold.

They will then have six months to put together their own bid for the stadium.

Since the ruling was made, Manchester United's Old Trafford has also been listed an a community asset and applications have also been made for many other grounds, including Liverpool.

Oxford have played at the stadium since it was opened in 2001 by former owner Firoz Kassam, who sold the club five years later, but retained control of the ground.

Current U's owner Ian Lenagan has previously stated his desire to try to buy the ground

In a statement on their website, OxVox said: "This review will examine whether the process of listing was correctly followed and the criteria correctly applied by the Council, and will be held on Thursday 29 August.

"OxVox have been invited to participate in this hearing, and intend to do so."

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